It is old news now, but the bass fishing at the mouth of the Connecticut River is excellent. We have had numerous outstanding outings, catching and releasing lots of fish between 26" and 33". There are plenty of bigger fish. A friend landed a 42" bass from shore a week ago.

This is the first year I have seen birds working over the fish. It's nothing like the display birds can make over blues but rather a few birds lazily working. Breaking/splashing bass, usually but not always single fish is much more common than in past years. The fish are cruising around spending some time at the normal hot spots. For the last week they have not been lingering in any one spot. We'll catch a couple fish, then they're gone. We will then "bounce around" to different spots until we find them again. By the end of our outing we have usually boated about ten fish. We have had some trips when we hooked dozens of fish.

The water temperature has been in the low to mid 50's for the last two weeks. As long as the water temp stays cool the river fishing should continue strong. I would think we still have two to three weeks before warmer temperatures drive the fish to deeper water.

Figuratively speaking, I don't think any one read my blog last year. Maybe this year will be different. Remember you might be the only reader. Let me know you are out there by telling me what you would like to read about. Go to my line of fishing glasses, www.bigeyeeyewear.com. Find a pair of polarized sunglasses. If you are one of the first to respond I'll send you a pair.

Spring bass fishing is on my mind. Recently I have been spending considerable time tying flies in preparation. The coming weekend forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures might hit 60 degrees. That's a temperature I can't remember feeling. Sixty degree water temperatures and bass pounding surface plugs is within reach. Let's go fishing!

I should have a boat in the water by the third week of April. Historically, small schoolies appear in numbers below the railroad bridge at the mouth of the Connecticut River around April 25th. By Mother's Day the fishing is on.

The spring run off is always the unknown. The best scenario is a slow and steady melt off in the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. Heavy rains and a late warming trend cause a rapid increase of dirt and debris laden water which has a tendency to slow down the bite. Having said this, fishing for bass in the spring at the mouth of the Connecticut River is my favorite time of year.

Why am I so big on this fishing? One, we are talking about bass - lots of bass and at times BIG bass. A few in the 40+ inches range But what makes a Connecticut River hook up so exciting is it is all done in shallow water. Many times in less than three feet and seldom in water greater than eight feet. What's that mean? The fish can't "sound". They can only run away. You can't beat it so join me!